Leaf (2 large pages) with Torah novellae on Parashat Pinchas, handwritten by R. Eliezer David Grünwald, Rabbi of Satmar, author of Keren LeDavid.

Autograph – author's handwritten manuscript.

R. Eliezer David's novellae on the Torah were published posthumously in Keren LeDavid on Bereshit (Satmar, 1930) and Shemot (Satmar, 1939). The manuscripts of the other parts, which had not yet been printed, were hidden underground during the Holocaust, and were finally published only in 1976 by the Vayechi Yosef of Pupa in the United States, and in another edition by R. Aharon Shapiro of Narol (Bnei Brak, 2008).

The present leaf may have been among the writings hidden underground during the Holocaust.

This manuscript contains the initial text, handwritten by the author, which was subsequently edited and published in the Brooklyn and Bnei Brak editions (with variants).

R. Eliezer David Grünwald, Rabbi of Satmar (ca. 1866-1928), prominent Torah leader and yeshiva dean in Hungary and Transylvania. Close disciple of his brother R. Moshe Grünwald, the Arugat HaBosem, and also studied under R. Shmuel Ehrenfeld, author of Chatan Sofer. He served as Rabbi and dayan in many prominent communities – Bardejov, Dunajská Streda, Tzeilem (Deutschkreutz), Vişeu de Sus and finally Satmar – establishing in each place a large yeshiva where he edified many disciples, including dozens of rabbis and poskim.

[1] leaf. Approx. 31 cm. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Blue, somewhat faded ink. Open tears, significantly affecting text. Tears reinforced with tape; dark stains from taping.